Treatment for Parkinson's Disease Using the Gamma Knife

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital now offers the Gamma Knife, a noninvasive treatment for Parkinson's disease.

What Is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease (PD or, simply, Parkinson's) is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders. It is a slowly progressing, degenerative disease that is usually associated with the following symptoms, all of which result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells:

Tremor or trembling of the arms, jaw, legs and face

Stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk

Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)

Postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination

Facts about Parkinson's disease:

It is incorrectly believed that Parkinson's disease disappeared after the introduction of levodopa (L-dopa) in the 1960s. In fact, about 50,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, with more than half a million Americans affected at any one time. Further, more people suffer from Parkinson's disease than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis combined.

What causes Parkinson's disease (PD)?

The specific cause of PD is unknown, however, medical experts believe the symptoms are related to a chemical imbalance in the brain caused by brain-cell death. Parkinson's disease is chronic (persists over a long period of time) and progressive (symptoms grow worse over time).

Although the disease may appear in younger patients (even teenagers), it usually affects people in late middle age. The disease affects men and women in almost equal numbers. It is not contagious, nor is it likely passed on from generation to generation.

Parkinson's Syndrome, Atypical Parkinson's or Parkinsonism:

Parkinson's disease is also called primary parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson's disease. (Idiopathic is the term for a disorder for which no cause has yet been identified).

In the other forms of parkinsonism, either the cause is known or suspected, or the disorder occurs as a secondary effect of another primary neurological disorder that may have both primary and secondary symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These disorders, described as Parkinson's Syndrome, Atypical Parkinson's, or, simply, parkinsonism, may include the following:

Tumors in the brain

Repeated head trauma

Drug-induced parkinsonism - prolonged use of tranquilizing drugs, such as the phenothiazines, butyrophenones, reserpine, and the commonly used drug, metoclopramide for stomach upset

Other symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD):

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from patient to patient. The symptoms may appear slowly and in no particular order. Early symptoms may be subtle and may progress over many years before reaching a point where they interfere with normal daily activities. These often include the following:

Fatigue or general malaise

Trembling

Difficulty arising from a seated position

Lowered voice volume (dysarthria)

Small, cramped, spidery handwriting

Losing track of a word or thought

Irritability or sadness for no apparent reason

Lack of expression in the face

Lack of animation

Remaining in a certain position for a long period of time

Unable to normally move arm or leg

What are the secondary symptoms of Parkinson's?

Depression

Senility

Difficulty with speaking

Emotional changes (fearful and insecure)

Memory loss and slow thinking

Difficulty in swallowing and chewing

Urinary problems or constipation

Skin problems

Sleep problems

As the disease progresses, walking may become affected, causing the patient to stop in mid-stride or "freeze" in place, and maybe even fall over. Patients also may begin walking with a series of quick, small steps as if hurrying forward to keep balance, a practice known as festination.

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for Parkinson's disease:

Specific treatment for Parkinson's disease will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health and medical history

extent of the condition

type of condition

your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies

expectations for the course of the condition

your opinion or preference

With today's medicine, we have yet to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. However, based upon the severity of the symptoms and medical profile, the physician will establish an appropriate treatment protocol. Treatment for Parkinson's disease may include the following: